BATU PAHAT: The family of Mila Sharmilah Samsusah, 32, or Bella, who was brutally murdered by her boyfriend, has appointed observing lawyers.
This was announced by her sister, Norhisham Samsusah, 36, stating that the two appointed lawyers are Aminatul Mardiah who is assisted by Hafidzah Hassan.
Known affectionately as Ayu, she said that the appointment of the two lawyers is to ensure the smooth running of the court proceedings in the case.
She said that the trial against the accused Mohammad Haikal Mahfuz, 24, will begin on Feb 19 after the first charge was read on Jan 24.
"Many offered legal assistance, and the family chose the two based on the criteria of services provided.
"The offered services are also free," she said after receiving a visit from the Senior Political Secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, at the late Bella's rented house in Taman Soga here, today.
Meanwhile, Ayu informed that Bella's two children, Eusuf Abdul Fatah, 4, and Maream, 2, are now under the care of their grandmother, Noraini Salleh, 55, with the assistance of a caregiver.
Ayu also shared the story of Eusuf, who often asks about his mother, who still does not understand what happened.
"Eusuf only asks about his mother when family members gather together and occasionally mention the name Umi (Bella).
"After 11 days of Bella's burial, our family has accepted the will of Allah, but we are somewhat disappointed with the way she died," she said.
The single mother was reported missing on Dec 14 last year after family members failed to contact her when she went to the laundromat with her boyfriend.
Two police reports were also made on Dec 16 and 18 last year.
Three suspects, including Bella's boyfriend, were detained for seven days starting Dec 25 last year before being released on police bail.
After 38 days of Bella's disappearance, Johor police finally succeeded in locating her remains in an abandoned rented house in Kampung Batu 7, Tongkang Pechah, last Friday.
DNA testing on the skeleton confirmed that it belonged to Bella, following pathology samples matching the DNA taken from her sister and mother.